Many in the entertainment world are dropping the platform
According to the World Health Organization, there were 39.9 million people living with HIV worldwide by the end of 2023. Indeed, the human immunodeficiency virus can affect anyone, and celebrities are no exception. Throughout the years, many famous people have publicly announced their HIV-positive diagnosis. This was, and is, very important in order to raise awareness and help break down the HIV stigma, misinformation around it, and to empower those living with it.
Sadly, we have lost some famous faces to HIV and AIDS over the years, but many are still here to tell the story. Click on and get to know them.
The former diver and Olympic gold medalist revealed in a 1995 press conference that he was HIV positive (he also came out as gay). He'd been aware of his HIV-positive status since 1988.
In 2023, the LGBTQ+ activist auctioned off three of his medals for HIV/AIDS research. "The medals have life beyond me," he said.
One half of the British duo Erasure was diagnosed as HIV positive in 1998. "It was very frightening," he said. Andy Bell didn't go public with the news until six years later.
The singer is grateful to be alive. "When I started to take the meds [for HIV], my life started to turn around completely. I was so lucky that it happened when it did because those meds kept me alive. If it had been 10 years before...," he said.
In 2021, the actor revealed that he's been living with HIV since 2007, but kept it private because he feared it might have affected his career.
Porter drew inspiration from those who lost their lives to AIDS when he made the revelation. "I'm living so that I can tell the story. There's a whole generation that was here, and I stand on their shoulders," he said. "I can be who I am in this space, at this time, because of the legacy that they left for me. So it's time to put my big boy pants on and talk."
The former Frankie Goes to Hollywood singer found out he was HIV positive in 1991.
Johnson told The Guardian that he deals with the condition in a productive way. "I live like a nun. I don’t drink, I don’t smoke, I haven’t done for years. I take copious amounts of vitamins and medications. I do everything possible to support my health," he said.
The Austrian singer, best known by the stage name Conchita Wurst, revealed he was HIV positive in 2018. His decision to go public came after an ex-boyfriend threatened to expose details of his private life.
The Eurovision Song Contest winner said that he had "been HIV positive for many years."
The 'Who's The Boss?' actor was diagnosed with HIV in 2003. Danny Pintauro publicly announced this fact during an interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2015.
"Back then, it was still a very big deal to tell that to people. We were barely advancing in terms of medications and barely advancing in terms of our thought process on your future, and especially for these people in my life who had no context. It was very scary," he said.
The Welsh rugby player came out as gay in December 2009, becoming the first openly gay professional rugby union player. In 2019, Thomas revealed that he was HIV positive.
The American actor and singer, best known for playing Alexander Hamilton in the Broadway musical 'Hamilton,' has been living with HIV since 2002. "I'm healthy, I'm strong and I'm very out about that because of the stigma still attached to it," he told The New York Times in 2016.
In 2015, the rapper, performance artist, and poet revealed they have been HIV positive since 2011.
The Filipino-American drag performer, best known for taking part in 'RuPaul's Drag Race,' has been living with HIV since 2006.
The former figure skating champion announced he was HIV positive in 2000.
The bass player and co-founder of the rock band Styx has been living with HIV since 1991. "When I go onstage I never know who's going to be out there. But if there's a young gay man who's gone through the same thing I have, I'd like him to think, 'If he can do this, then why can't I?'," said Panozzo.
The famous actor and former star of the show 'Two and a Half Men' received his HIV-positive diagnosis in 2011.
Sheen publicly revealed that he had been living with HIV during an interview for NBC's 'Today' show in 2015. "I feel like I'm carrying the torch for a lot of folks out there that are suffering from the same thing," he later told 'Good Morning America' in 2017.
The former basketball star revealed that he was HIV positive in 1991. Johnson did so in a memorable press conference, where he also announced he was leaving the LA Lakers.
The NBA icon's diagnosis revelation was unprecedented and helped to smash the HIV stigma.
The 'Queer Eye' star was diagnosed with HIV at the age of 25, after he fainted while working in a hair salon. Jonathan Van Ness publicly revealed that he was HIV positive in 2019.
Van Ness has tired to dispel the myth that contracting HIV is a death sentence. "I think the thing that surprises most people is just that it's a chronic illness and that it's not a terminal one," he said back in 2020. "The treatment has come so far. It could be treatable and totally manageable, much in the way that diabetes is. You just need to make sure that you have access to healthcare. So that's all."
The award-winning actor, singer, and choreographer was diagnosed with HIV over 40 years ago. In his seventies now, André De Shields continues to do Broadway shows.
In 1993, the American jazz pianist came out as gay and revealed that he had been living with HIV since 1984.
The retired South African judge is known for his gay rights and HIV/AIDS activism. The former Justice of the Constitutional Court of South Africa has been HIV positive since 1987.
The Australian trampoline gymnast and Olympic medalist revealed he was HIV positive in 2012.
Armando Thomas "Mondo" Guerra is an American fashion designer, best known for taking part in the reality show 'Project Runway.' Guerra was diagnosed with HIV in 2001, at the age of 22.
Rebekka Armstrong was the first Playboy Playmate to publicly announce her HIV diagnosis. The former model is now an HIV/AIDS activist.
The American drag queen, who is best known for taking part in 'RuPaul's Drag Race,' has been living with HIV since 2012.
Sources: (The New York Times) (CBS News) (The Guardian) (The Telegraph) (HIV Plus Magazine) (Out) (People) (World Health Organization)
See also: Celebs who have been to rehab (some you had no idea about)
Celebrities Who Have Opened Up About Living with HIV
Stars who opened up to help destigmatize the diagnosis
CELEBRITY Health
According to the World Health Organization, there were 39.9 million people living with HIV worldwide by the end of 2023. Indeed, the human immunodeficiency virus can affect anyone, and celebrities are no exception. Throughout the years, many famous people have publicly announced their HIV-positive diagnosis. This was, and is, very important in order to raise awareness and help break down the HIV stigma, misinformation around it, and to empower those living with it.
Sadly, we have lost some famous faces to HIV and AIDS over the years, but many are still here to tell the story. Click on and get to know them.